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The Book of Daniel
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Chapter 11
Daniel Chapter 11
Verse 1
This verse belongs with Chapter 10. Here Gabriel is concluding his explanation of
the spiritual warfare between the forces of good and evil by pointing out that he had
previously worked with King Darius in his first year as king (see Daniel 9:1). This
sheds light on why Darius appointed Daniel as his prime minister. (SOP 1)
Gabriel’s account that follows in Daniel 11:2 – 12:3 is a detailed outline of world
history from Daniel’s day to the Second Coming of Christ. It describes future
highlights of the ongoing spiritual warfare that was revealed to Daniel in Chapter 10.
This prophecy is a further explanation of the 2300-day and 70-week prophecies
given in Chapters 8 and 9.
This prophecy is not presented using symbols, like the earlier prophecies, but the
descriptions are often vague and cryptic like a code. Therefore, it is often difficult to
apply the descriptions to specific events of history.
A clue to understanding this prophecy is to note certain historical milestones, most
of which correspond to Daniel’s earlier prophecies. Let’s look at a few examples:
Verse 2 – This verse describes the current ruling kingdom, Persia. This
corresponds to the bear of Chapter 7 and the ram of Chapter 8.
Verse 3 – This verse begins a description of the kingdom of Greece. This
corresponds to the leopard of Chapter 7 and the male goat of
Chapter 8.
Verse 16 – This verse begins a description of Rome in its pagan phase. This
corresponds to the dragon beast of Chapter 7 and the early rule of
the horn in Chapter 8.
Verse 20 – This verse marks the birth of the Messiah.
Verse 22 – This verse marks the death of the Messiah.
Verse 31 – This verse begins a description of Rome in its papal phase. This
corresponds to the little horn of Chapter 7 and the later rule of the
horn in Chapter 8.
Verse 40 – This verse carries us down to the time of the end, near the
conclusion the 2300 days. The verses that follow take us beyond
Daniel’s earlier prophecies. They describe the final warfare at the
time of the end and conclude with the deliverance of the saints.
With this brief preview, let’s attempt a verse-by-verse interpretation of this prophecy.
Verse 2
And now I will tell you the truth – God frequently assured the prophets that the
messages they received were true (certain of fulfillment). Compare with Daniel 10:1,
Revelation 21:6, 22:6. They are true because they came from Jesus Himself.
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Three more kings will arise in Persia – These were the three kings that followed
Cyrus, the current reigning king. They were Cambyses, False Smerdis (a usurper)
and Darius I (not to be confused with Darius the Mede, the first king of MedoPersia).
The fourth shall be far richer than them all; by his strength, through his riches, he
shall stir up all against the realm of Greece – The fourth king was Xerxes (also
called Ahasuerus in the book of Esther). He inherited a vast amount of wealth from
the previous kings, who had acquired riches through conquest and tribute. Xerxes
spent four years and a huge fortune assembling the largest army ever assembled,
2,500,000 men, and a huge fleet of ships. These he used against the Greeks, only
to be defeated at Salamis in 480 BC, in one of the decisive battles of the world. This
defeat began the demise of the Persian Empire and the rise of Greece to master of
the world.
Verse 3
The mighty king described in this verse is Alexander the Great, the first king of
Greece, who made Greece a world empire (compare with Daniel 8:5, 21).
Verse 4
And when he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken up and divided toward the
four winds of heaven – This describes the break up and division of Alexander’s
empire after his death, which took place as his four generals warred with one
another for dominion.
But not among his posterity – At his death Alexander left a young son, who was
called king, but he was killed in the warfare between Alexander’s generals.
Nor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be
uprooted, even for others besides these – None of the four generals were able to
gain control of the entire kingdom, and so it remained divided. This situation
eventually led to the demise of the Grecian empire when Rome ascended to power.
Verse 5
The “king of the south” was Alexander’s general, Ptolemy, who controlled Egypt to
the south. He became strong because Egypt was immensely wealthy and rather
easy to protect.
The prince referred to in this verse was Seleucus I, the general who originally took
control of the eastern part of Alexander’s empire. Seleucus was driven out of the
east by yet another of Alexander’s generals, and he fled to Egypt for safety.
Ptolemy gave him special status and helped him outfit a new army.
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Chapter 11
Equipped with a new army, Seleucus was able to drive his rival out of the east. He
then pushed to the north, driving Lysimachus from Syria and Asia Minor, and
making himself the “king of the north.” This made him the master of most of
Alexander’s empire. He would have liked to control Judea, too, taking it away from
Egypt, but Ptolemy reminded Seleucus that without his help in the first place, he
could never have staged his comeback.
NOTE: These two kings, Seleucus and Ptolemy, were eventually succeeded by
other kings. Seleucus and his successors controlled Syria to the north and are all
called in this prophecy the “king of the north.” Ptolemy and his successors
controlled Egypt to the south and are called the “king of the south.” The kings of the
north all went by the name “Antiochus” or “Seleucus,” while the kings of the south all
went by the name “Ptolemy.”
Verse 6
After the death of Seleucus I (the first king of the north), a long and costly war
ensued between Syria and Egypt over the possession of Palestine. Finally, in an
effort to bring about peace, a marriage was arranged between King Antiochus II of
Syria and King Ptolemy’s daughter, Bernice.
But King Antiochus already had a wife, named Laodice. Part of the deal was for him
to divorce Laodice and marry Bernice. This he did, and they soon bore a son. But
Antiochus soon found that he didn’t like Bernice very well. And so, after Bernice’s
father, the king of Egypt, died, Antiochus divorced Bernice and took Laodice back
again.
But Laodice had become bitter, and she was afraid of what her husband would do
next. And so, using her royal powers in a manner all too common in those days, she
had Antiochus, Bernice, her attendants, and her little son all murdered.
Keep in mind that Gabriel told Daniel this whole tragic story some three hundred
years before it actually took place!
Verse 7
The next king of Egypt, Ptolemy III, was a brother of Bernice’s. He determined to
avenge Bernice’s death by invading Syria. He took his army all the way to Babylon
and beyond before voluntarily pulling back. His navy occupied a port that served
Antioch, the capitol of Syria, and for some time Egyptian shipping dominated the
eastern Mediterranean.
Verse 8
In the process of his triumphant Syrian campaign, Ptolemy III captured 2500 gold
and silver images, many of them being Egyptian gods that had been stolen by a
succession of conquerors over the centuries. The Egyptians were delighted at what
their Greek king had achieved for them, and they hailed him as their benefactor.
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He shall continue more years than the king of the North – This would be better
translated as “he shall refrain from attacking the king of the North.” Ptolemy III was
apparently satisfied with the success of his campaign, because he didn’t attack the
Syrians again as long as he lived.
Verse 9
In the year 242 BC, Seleucus II attempted to avenge himself for Egypt’s deep
penetration of his ancestral lands, hoping to retrieve his riches and regain his
prestige. But his army was vanquished and his navy blown away. He returned to
Syria badly bloodied and empty-handed.
Keep in mind that the land of Palestine was located between these two feuding
nations. For more than a century the Jews apprehensively observed these armies
marching north and south through their country, knowing that victory or defeat could
change their overlords, their liberties and their taxes.
Verse 10
The sons of Seleucus II (Seleucus III and Antiochus III) assembled a great army
against Ptolemy. In 219 BC, Antiochus III began a campaign for southern Syria and
Palestine by retaking Seleucia, the port of Antioch. He then set out on a systematic
campaign to conquer Palestine from his rival, Ptolemy IV.
Verse 11
This verse describes the battle of Raphia, June 22, 217 BC, where Ptolemy IV
came against Antiochus III near the Palestine-Egyptian border. It is interesting to
note that both armies used trained elephants as elevated mobile fortresses in this
battle. Despite being outnumbered, Ptolemy won the battle because the other army
lacked discipline. Yet the victory at Raphia gained Ptolemy little, because he was a
notorious debauchee and he failed to follow up on his success.
Verse 12
After the defeat of Antiochus III, Ptolemy IV visited Palestine and came to
Jerusalem. There he offered sacrifice and wanted to enter the most holy place of
the Jewish temple. His curiosity was restrained with much difficulty and he left much
displeased with the Jewish people. Upon his return to Alexandria, he began a cruel
persecution of the Jewish inhabitants of the city, who had resided there from the
time of Alexander and had enjoyed the privilege of the most favored citizens. It is
reported that 40,000 of the Jews were slain.
Verse 13
Antiochus III quickly recovered after his defeat at Raphia, and soon recovered much
of Alexander’s former empire. He then again invaded the Egyptian territories with a
much larger army, and regained all of Palestine in 198 BC. Angry with the
Ptolemies, the Jews hailed Antioch as a deliverer, who restored to Jerusalem all its
ancient privileges.
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These conflicts opened the way for Rome to step on to the stage of world history.
Verse 14
Ptolemy IV died and was succeeded by his young son, Ptolemy V. A treasonous
plot was formed against the young king by Scopas the Aeolian, who had under him
the army of the Aeolians. He managed to seize the throne, but the plot was
overthrown by the vigilance of the Prime Minister, Aristomenes. Rome then stepped
in to guard the young king of Egypt. This development gave the Romans, called
here the “violent men (robbers) of your people,” the opportunity to dominate the
affairs of the East, including the land of Palestine.
Verse 15
Heedless of Rome’s admonition to stay out of Egypt, Antiochus III went ahead with
his aggression. Antiochus trounced a well-trained army led by Scopas, a skilled and
experienced Egyptian general. The defeated troops retired to Tyre, but Antiochus
followed them and laid siege. When the fighting was over, the king of the north had
a firm grip on Palestine, and Ptolemic Egypt never owned it again.
Verse 16
Rome now began to gain more and more control in Asia Minor and Syria, and finally
came up against the forces of Antiochus. In 190 AD at Magnesia in Asia Minor,
Rome inflicted a crushing defeat on Antiochus III. From this time the Selucid kings
became more and more subject to the power of Rome. In 168 BC, Antiochus
Epiphanes invaded Egypt, but was ordered out by Rome and forced to obey. In 63
AD, Pompey captured Jerusalem and Palestine came under the control of Rome.
Verse 17
Under Julius Caesar, Rome threw the full force of its power into the struggle for
dominance over Egypt and Ptolemy XI, the king of the south. Rome gained her own
will all the way. Ptolemy XI died, leaving the tottering kingdom of the south jointly to
his children, Cleopatra and Ptolemy XII, a lad of only ten years. The king’s will
provided that they should marry each other, then a common practice among
Egyptian royalty, and reign jointly. Because they were young, the guardianship of
Rome was sought. Rome appointed Pompey as overseer of the court.
Three years later trouble broke out between Pompey and Julius Caesar, which
ended at the battle of Pharsalus. Pompey was defeated and he fled to Egypt.
Caesar followed him there. Pompey was killed, and Caesar found Egypt in
commotion. Ptolemy and Cleopatra were quarreling. She claimed that he had
deprived her of her share in the government. Caesar gave orders that the armies of
each had to disband and that both Ptolemy and Cleopatra appear before him and
then abide by his decision. Advocates were appointed for each side to plead for
their respective parties.
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Cleopatra determined to conquer Caesar by feminine wiles rather than by military
force or advocate’s arguments. To reach his presence undetected, she had
Apollodonus, her Sicilian slave, wrap her up in a cloth and tie the package with
thongs. He carried it into Caesar’s presence, claiming to have a special present for
him, and made a speedy exit. When the bundle was unbound, there stood the
beautiful and voluptuous Cleopatra before him.
Caesar was past fifty and Cleopatra merely twenty-two, but she was as ambitious
as he. She became his mistress and bore him a son. His infatuation with the queen
kept him in Egypt much longer than his affairs asked for, and this may have been a
contributing factor in the later plot to assassinate him at the zenith of his power.
Verse 18
But then trouble in the Greek Isles absorbed the attention of Rome. Julius Caesar
traveled there and soon controlled the situation. On his return to the Senate in
Rome, he reported, “I came, I saw, I conquered!” But Brutus, one of Caesar’s fellow
senators, felt that Caesar was assuming too much authority and was insulting the
senate. Caesar vindicated his conduct and Brutus joined in a plot to murder him.
But in the meantime, Caesar was called away to settle affairs in Asia Minor.
Caesar’s ambition to establish a monarchy with himself as the head was considered
a reproach to the Republic of Rome. This is why Brutus, one of Caesar’s best
friends, joined in the plot to get rid of him. But the shame of it would return upon
him, because Brutus was killed in the revolt that followed.
Verse 19
While Brutus was plotting, Julius Caesar returned to Rome. Here he was made
dictator for life. Having been granted many other honors he was, in fact, absolute
sovereign of the empire. But he was stabbed to death in 44 BC, stumbling and
falling, never to rise again.
Verse 20
Julius Caesar’s nephew Octavius became his heir, and was made the next
emperor. The senate conferred on him the title “Augustus.” He proved to be both
wise and strong, and replaced chaos and anarchy with organization. He possessed
the unusual ability to levy taxes without upsetting the populace too much. As an
empire-wide enroller for taxation, he comes prominently into the Bible story.
Luke 2:1 – It was this decree by Augustus that brought Joseph and Mary to
Bethlehem, thereby fulfilling the prophecy of Micah (see Matthew 2:3 – 6). It is
amazing how God uses the complex and apparently random events of history to
work out the details of His own will.
This verse also describes the death of Augustus Caesar. He died “not in anger or in
battle,” but peacefully in bed at the age of 76, with his wife at his side.
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Verse 21
When Augustus was about to nominate his successor, his wife Livia besought him
to nominate Tiberius, her son by a former husband. But the emperor said, “Your son
is too vile to wear the purple of Rome.” Instead, the nomination was given to
Agrippa, a virtuous and much-respected Roman citizen. But Agrippa died, and
Augustus again had to nominate a successor. Livia renewed her intercessions for
Tiberius, and Augustus, weakened by age and sickness, finally consented.
As long as Augustus lived, Tiberius behaved with great prudence and ability. And so
he succeeded Augustus as emperor without opposition. But he soon returned to his
former ways, and his reign was marked by tyranny, hypocrisy and debauchery.
Seneca declared that Tiberius was intoxicated only once in his life, and that was all
the time!
Verse 22
Because of his vileness, the Roman citizens rose against Tiberius Caesar. His reign
was marked by frequent revolutions and violence. He roused himself sufficiently to
raise a large army to defend his throne, but finally Marco, the praetorian prefect,
caused him to be suffocated with pillows.
The “prince of the covenant” who was broken in this verse is the same prince who
confirmed the covenant in Daniel 9:25 – 27, and was cut off in the midst of the 70th
week.
It was during the reign of Tiberius that Jesus our Lord was crucified. Pilate owed his
governorship of Judea only to the favor of Tiberius, the uncle of his wife. So, when
someone in the crowd called out, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar’s
friend” (John 19:12), he gave in to the demands of the Jewish leaders and turned
Jesus over to them to be crucified.
NOTE: Verses 23 – 30 are the most difficult part of this prophecy. Applying them to
specific events of history is very uncertain, and commentators have suggested a
number of different interpretations. Some back up in history at this point, to a league
Rome made with the Jews in 161 BC, and then repeat some of the history given in
earlier verses. Others move forward in history and apply these verses to the rise of
the Papal power. However, because this prophecy follows the same historical
outline as Daniel’s earlier prophecies, the most likely interpretation seems to be that
these verses continue the history of Pagan Rome in an unbroken chronological
sequence down to the breakup of the empire.
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Verse 23
This verse may be a reference to the Roman policy of arranging what today would
be called mutual assistance pacts. In these treaties, the Romans recognized the
participants as “allies,” and the treaties were presumably intended to protect and
promote mutual interests. Rome thus appeared in the role of friend and protector,
only to “act deceitfully” by turning these agreements to her own advantage.
Eventually these “allies” were absorbed into the Roman Empire.
Verse 24
This verse may be a reference to Rome’s policy toward the conquered regions of
the empire. History records that the plunder of conquest was distributed generously
among the nobility and army commanders, and it was common practice for even the
common soldier to receive a grant of land in conquered regions.
The phrase “for a time” means literally “until a time,” placing a time restriction on the
activities described in this verse. It appears to refer to the length of time that Rome
wielded her power, instead of being a prophetic “time.”
Verse 25
No satisfactory explanation has been found for this verse.
Verse 26
This verse may be a reference to the way the Caesars often ascended to the
throne. From the days of the early Caesars, palace intrigue marked the rise and fall
of the emperors of Rome. In later years, particularly, one army officer after another
ascended the throne, often at the price of the head of his predecessor.
Verse 27
This verse may be a reference to the struggle for power between the time of
Diocletian (284 – 305 AD) and Constantine the Great (306 – 337 AD), who reunited
the empire.
Verse 28
This verse may be a reference to the “conversion” of Constantine. While claiming to
be converted, he used Christianity as an instrument for uniting the empire. Through
Constantine, Christianity was accepted but it resulted in the corruption of the
church.
Verse 29
Although Constantine reunited the empire, its glory was not as before. The removal
of the seat of the empire to Constantinople signaled its eventual downfall.
Verse 30
This verse may be a reference to the barbarian tribes that swept down from the
territory of Western Europe and broke up the Roman Empire.
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Verse 31
With this verse we are once again on solid ground, with the rise of Papal Rome.
Forces [arms] shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress
– Arms is here referring to military power. By official decree, the emperor Justinian
declared the Bishop of Rome to be the head over all religious matters and the
corrector of heretics. This decree was enforced by the civil power, and went into
effect in 538 AD. In this way the Papacy became the new king of the north.
Then they shall take away the daily sacrifices – This is the same work done by the
little horn in Daniel 8:11, as Jesus’ heavenly ministry was obscured by the church.
And place there the abomination of desolation – When we studied Daniel 9:27, we
looked at the abomination of desolation. The term refers to abominations committed
by God’s professed people that result in their desolation, or destruction.
The abomination of desolation took place in Daniel’s day, when Jerusalem was
destroyed by the Babylonian army. It also took place in Jesus’ day, when Jerusalem
was destroyed by the Roman army. Here in Daniel 11:31, it takes place once again
under the Papal power. In all three instances, the abomination that results in
desolation is connected with the disregard of God’s seventh-day Sabbath and the
practice of sun worship. Notice the following:
The abomination of desolation in Daniel’s day – Before Jerusalem was destroyed by
the Babylonians, the Jews were practicing many abominations, the greatest being
sun worship (Ezekiel chapter 8). It was their disregard of the seventh-day Sabbath
that brought about their desolation (Jeremiah 17:24 – 27).
The abomination of desolation in Jesus’ day – The Jews rigorously kept the
seventh-day Sabbath, but they created a mountain of man-made regulations that
were not required by God. Because of this, they rejected the Lord of the Sabbath
and killed him (Mark 2:27, 28; Matthew 12:1 – 14; 23:37, 38; 24:15), thereby
bringing about their desolation.
The abomination of desolation in the days of Papal Rome – It was Papal Rome who
changed the day of worship from the Sabbath to Sunday, the day of the sun. At the
very end of time, this abomination will become world-wide, resulting in the
desolation of the entire world.
Verse 32
Papal Rome was a flattering, deceptive system that corrupted all who compromised
their faith. But all who knew and followed God would not be deceived by this
system.
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Verse 33
Those of the people who understand shall instruct many – God’s faithful ones were
powerful witnesses during these ages of darkness, even in the face of persecution.
Yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering –
The term “many days” refers to the 1260 years of Papal rule, when millions were
martyred. Notice that all four methods used by the Papacy to exterminate heretics
are here mentioned.
Verse 34
This verse may refer to the Protestant reformation, and the counter-reformation
instigation by the Papacy.
Verse 35
This verse explains why God allowed the faithful to be persecuted during the dark
ages; to keep the church pure. Notice that the time of the end is yet future in this
verse.
Verse 36
The activities here described are the same activities as that of the little horn in
Daniel Chapters 7 and 8. Compare with Daniel 7:25; 8:11, 12).
Verse 37
He shall regard neither the God of his fathers – The fathers of the Christian church
were the apostles, and the papal power disregarded their teachings.
Nor the desire of women – This may be a reference to celibacy.
Nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all – Another reference to
the Papal claim to be God on earth.
Verses 38, 39
These verses refer again to the church’s use of the civil power. The Papacy paid
fabulous sums of gold, silver, gems and precious things to the French and others to
fight the Papal battles.
And divide the land for gain – This may be a reference to the Papal practice of
buying and selling land for gain.
NOTE: Beginning with verse 40 we are brought down to the time of the end, to the
close of the Papacy’s 1260-year rule. These final verses take us beyond Daniel’s
earlier prophecies, presenting a succession of events during the time of the end that
culminate with the close of probation and the deliverance of the saints.
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Much of what is described in these final verses is yet future, and we need to be very
careful in attempting to interpret them. However, there is a principle of prophetic
interpretation that will help us as we attempt to understand these final verses. It is
as follows:
The entire sweep of prophetic interpretation comes to a climax at the death of
Jesus. Before Jesus’ death, “Israel” is the literal nation of Israel in a specific
geographic location. But after the death of Jesus, “Israel” is spiritual Israel, the
universal Christian church (Romans 2:28, 29; Galatians 3:27 – 29; 1 Peter 2:9, 10).
This principle of prophetic interpretation also requires that geography be applied
spiritually after the cross, and not literally. For example, after the cross Israel is now
located worldwide, and not restricted to the Middle East.
The same principle is also true of Israel’s enemies. Instead of being a literal nation,
the enemies of God’s people are spiritual. For example, in the Old Testament the
kingdom of Babylon was an enemy of Israel. In the last days, spiritual Babylon
(apostate Christianity) is the enemy of God’s people.
By the time we get to verse 40 in Daniel 11, we are certainly well past the cross.
(SOP 2) And so we need to apply this principle of prophetic interpretation when
attempting to understand these verses. However, keep in mind that what I am about
to share is only a suggestion.
Verse 40
At the time of the end – When we study Daniel Chapter 12 we will find that the time
of the end began in 1798, at the end of the 1260 years of Papal rule. And so the
events described in this verse began to take place in the year 1798.
The king of the South shall attack him [the king of the North] – Who are the kings of
the north and the south at the time of the end? Before the time of Christ, the
Seleucid kings were located north of Israel and were called the king of the north.
The Ptolemic kings were located south of Israel and were called the king of the
south. We saw them battling back and forth over Israel in verses 5 – 15. But now at
the time of the end, these powers are spiritual. So let’s look in the Bible for a
spiritual application.
In the Old Testament, Babylon came from the north to punish God’s people
(Jeremiah 25:8, 9). And so the north represents the direction of judgment. The
kingdom of Babylon was a false religious system. And so, Babylon represents
opposition to God masked under a religious garb. Therefore, in the last days the
spiritual king of the north is Papal Rome (Revelation 17:1 – 5).
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In the Old Testament the king of the south was Egypt, which spiritually represents
rejection of God, or atheism (Exodus 5:2, Revelation 11:8). At the time of the end,
this points to France. During the French Revolution in the 1790’s, all religion was
banned by the state (this is covered in more detail in my study on Revelation 11).
And so verse 40 describes an attack by an atheistic power (the king of the south)
against a false religious system (the king of the north) at the time of the end (1798).
And this is exactly what happened. In 1798, atheistic France inflicted a “deadly
wound” upon the Papacy by taking away its political power (Revelation 13:3).
NOTE: As we continue our study of this verse, it is important to understand that the
atheistic ideas begun during the French Revolution were adopted in Russia during
the Russian revolution. This led to the development of the Soviet Union, a massive
system of atheistic communism that ruled much of the world during most of the 20th
century.
And the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots,
horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them,
and pass through – This is a prediction that the spiritual king of the north (the
Papacy) would recover from her deadly wound (Revelation 13:3), and successfully
attack the spiritual king of the south (atheism). This took place in the 1980’s when
the Pope made a secret alliance with American president Ronald Reagan to plot the
downfall of the Soviet Union (atheistic communism). This led directly to the demise
of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Verse 41
He [the spiritual king of the north] shall enter the Glorious Land, and many . . . shall
be overthrown – In the Old Testament, the Glorious Land referred to the land of
Israel, the dwelling place of the people of God. And so the Glorious Land spiritually
represents end-time Christianity. This is a prediction that, as the Papacy recovers
from her deadly wound, her power and influence will extend over all of Christendom.
As a result, many will be overthrown.
But these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of
Ammon – These nations were the descendants of Esau and Lot, and were relatives
of Israel. However, they eventually apostatized and became the enemies of God’s
people. And so these nations may spiritually represent the Protestant churches.
Verse 42
He shall stretch out his hand against the countries – The “countries” mentioned here
are the same ones named in the previous verse. Although Protestantism originally
escaped from the hand of the Papacy, the churches are increasingly under her
influence (Revelation 17:5). Eventually Protestantism will join with the Papacy, and
actually take the lead in enforcing her doctrine (Revelation 13:11, 16, 17).
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The land of Egypt shall not escape – Atheism was not entirely destroyed with the
downfall of the Soviet Union. The Papal influence will eventually extend even over
atheism. This is further described in verse 43.
Verse 43
He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious
things of Egypt – As the Papacy gains increasing control over the world, even the
atheistic powers will eventually come to support her.
Also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels – In Old Testament times,
the Libyans and Ethiopians were spiritualistic worshippers. As such, they may
represent end-time spiritualism.
Verses 42 and 43 may be describing the work of end-time spiritualism, which will
sweep the entire world into deception and complicity with the Papacy (see
Revelation 13:13, 14, 16:13, 14).
Verse 44
News from the east and the north shall trouble him – What is the spiritual
significance of the east and the north?
East is where the sealing angel comes from in Revelation 7:2. God’s seal is the
seventh-day Sabbath. Also, Jesus will come from the east at His Second Coming
(Matthew 24:27). So news from the east represents the proclamation of the Sabbath
and the soon coming of Jesus.
The angel that gives the loud cry under the power of the latter rain comes from the
north (Revelation 18:1). So news from the east and the north represents the
proclamation of the true Sabbath and the soon coming of Jesus under the power of
the latter rain. It is this proclamation that troubles the king of the north (the Papacy).
Therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many – This
describes the final persecution against the saints who refuse to accept the mark of
the beast and expose the errors of spiritual Babylon under the power of the Holy
Spirit (Revelation 18:1 – 3, 13:15, 17:6).
Verse 45
And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy
mountain – In the Old Testament, the area between the seas (the Mediterranean
Sea, the Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea) and the glorious holy mountain was the area
where the plain of Megiddo was located. Next to the plain of Megiddo was Mount
Carmel, where the showdown took place between Elijah and the prophets of Baal.
Here the nation of Israel was called to decide whom they would serve - Baal or the
God of Israel.
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Chapter 11
The Book Of Daniel
Applying this entire scenario spiritually, could this be describing the battle of
Armageddon? Armageddon represents the final showdown, when the entire world
will be called upon to decide whom they will serve – the spiritual king of the north or
God (Revelation 16:13, 14, 16, Joel 3:12, 14).
Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him – This is a prediction that the
king of the north, spiritual Babylon, will come to his end. This will take place during
the seven last plagues (Revelation 16:19, 18:21).
Spirit of Prophecy Quotations
1 “The reign of Darius was honored of God. To him was sent the angel Gabriel, "to
confirm and to strengthen him." Daniel 11:1.” – Prophets and Kings, page 556.
2 “The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecy of the eleventh chapter
of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Soon the scenes of trouble
spoken of in the prophecies will take place.” —Testimonies for the Church, Vol.
9, p. 14.
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June 2010